Bnei Akiva Controversy: Left Supports Speech

Bnei Akiva head’s decision to speak at Rabin memorial pleases the left, but causes consternation within the movement.

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Maayana Miskin, 26/10/12 10:56

Yoel Marshak

Flash 90

Bnei Akiva head Danny Hirschberg’s agreement to speak at this year’s memorial for slain Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin has pleased the political left despite opposition to his decision within the movement.

Yoel Marshak, head of the Kibbutz Movement, told Arutz Sheva that Hirschberg’s agreement to speak was “a beautiful thing.”

“Bnei Akiva proved that they want unity,” he said. Marshak contrasted the movement with “hilltop youth,” who he accused of violence.

“Yigal Amir wasn’t a ‘bad apple’ and unfortunately they [the hilltop youth – ed.] are continuing in his path, the hilltop youth slashed my tires more than once and even threw rocks at me,” Marshak accused. “Bnei Akiva, I’m happy to say, does not represent the bad apples.”

The Bnei Akiva branches in Itamar and Hevron have urged Hirschberg to reconsider.